2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

Took my wife's 2007 X3 into the dealer to have the drivers seat heater mat replaced along with the leather covering. All covered on BMW extended warranty and we had them look at the rough downshift in the transmission.

We had the major reprogram done in Feb of this year and it has been better but still if you come down an offramp and coast down and then make a right hand turn that happens to be uphill and if you don't stop at the bottom when you go to accelerate, WHAM, man it downshifts hard.
That and going up a hill, it holds in the lower gear and the motor revs quite a bit while you are wishing it would shift.

So after the proclaimed that all is well I took a Mechanic and the QA mgr with me and we went for a ride. Of course I couldn't demonstrate it...

The Mechanic gave me the lowdown. Yes, this transmission had its share of problems. Most of those problems they have been able to address with software in the transmission/engine but the 2-1 downshift is something they can not do. This is where the hesitation is. It is slow to perform the downshift. If you try to accelerate during this time is where you will get the delay or the hard downshift.

The high revs of it holding in the lower gear when going up a long hill is also as designed and is to protect the transmission from building up too much heat when it is shifting back and forth.

Not saying it is right or wrong but just how they explained it.

If I understand of your transmission correctly, it sounds similar to my problem. This was corrected in the major reprograming. Of course it took 2 days to reprogram the car and they could not reproduce it the first time I complained about it (or the second). I don't think they rush to do the complete reinstall because it would shut down their shop.

The shifting drove me crazy because when I leave my neighborhood I go down a small hill. Turn right and I keep going downhill. The car floated like it was in neutral. There was no load on the transmission but it didn't downshift. Turn left and I went uphill.The transmission would hard downshift. - jerky. The transmission did it wrong both ways. There was also a long uphill coming back into the neighborhood. It would hold a higher gear too long then shift hard to a lower gear - count 3 and it shifted lower. Jerky, jerky. Now it climbs in a gear where it has reasonable power and then shifts perfectly (once) going up the hill.

Mine has the original programming. No updates -- believe me I checked as recently as a few months back.

Oddly enough:

- Mine used to do the hard downshifting when coasting to a stop. I have not noticed that for several months now. It could just be that I am used to the strangeness of this car and I no longer notice these things.



- OTOH it is still jerking when going up a hill at low speed. Under light acceleration going uphill it stays in the lower gears and sounds strained. It sounds and feels as if it is stuck. Once in a great while the lower gears will 'stick' even when I am at the top of the hill and going on the flats. That problem was supposed to have been taken care of by the last s/w release but since I have the last s/w release that is not true in some instances.

- It frequently sounds confused about what gear it wants to be in. It is best when accelerating hard or when coasting down hill where it will brake itself smoothly.

I have driven other BMWs in the same manner over the same roads and they do not exhibit this behavior.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

Mine has the original programming. No updates -- believe me I checked as recently as a few months back.



- It frequently sounds confused about what gear it wants to be in. It is best when accelerating hard or when coasting down hill where it will brake itself smoothly.

Despite my repeated requests and their checking on it, no updates showed up. Mine was a complete reinstall

I always complained that the transmission seemed lost not knowing which gear it was in. It wasn't until I complained of hard jerking problems did I get their attention. I never got used to it and swore I'd never own a BMW again, but I'm all smiles now.

I read the first 15% of this 58 page thread and the last 5%. What I can't determine is how effective the software reprogramming has been in resolving thge issues. Could someone accurately summarize the current state of the issue?

Originally Posted by shendrick

I read the first 15% of this 58 page thread and the last 5%. What I can't determine is how effective the software reprogramming has been in resolving thge issues. Could someone accurately summarize the current state of the issue?

Oh boy, I can't wait!

1. it's fixed.
2. it's not.

3. depends on who you ask.

Well, the net is that I went for a much longer test drive today in a CPO 07 X3 that I was looking at. Try as hard as I could, I couldn't get the AT to misbehave in this X3 (call it unit 1). This was one of 2 CPO X3's that I was looking at. The other one (unit 2) that I looked at had a history of complaints, had the software update, and still had issues. Unit 1 had no compliants on its rap sheet and was pretty much just like the other steptronic I had in a 99 740is. So in my unscientific sample of 2, one was good and the other was bad, Go figure.

Originally Posted by shendrick

Well, the net is that I went for a much longer test drive today in a CPO 07 X3 that I was looking at. Try as hard as I could, I couldn't get the AT to misbehave in this X3 (call it unit 1). This was one of 2 CPO X3's that I was looking at. The other one (unit 2) that I looked at had a history of complaints, had the software update, and still had issues. Unit 1 had no compliants on its rap sheet and was pretty much just like the other steptronic I had in a 99 740is. So in my unscientific sample of 2, one was good and the other was bad, Go figure.

Seems to be about a one in ten death rate. You have done the correct methodology in eliminating a bad one.

The only thing I can say is to take it down to 20 mph and make a sharp right turn up a hill. Akin to pulling into a gas station on a hill. If it hesitates and jerks there is a problem. Other than that sounds like you have done your homework.

This is my second X3 and that is after having one of the most problematic ones out there. Meaning its that good when its good.

Originally Posted by E91AWD

Despite my repeated requests and their checking on it, no updates showed up. Mine was a complete reinstall

I always complained that the transmission seemed lost not knowing which gear it was in. It wasn't until I complained of hard jerking problems did I get their attention. I never got used to it and swore I'd never own a BMW again, but I'm all smiles now.

I've complained of hard jerking problems but no one has suggested a complete reinstall. It is a 2009 after all....hard to imagine they didn't have the 2007 kinks worked out by then.

Sigh.

Right now, I wouldn't be getting into another BMW.

I bought a 2007 x3 3.0si autotranny back in June of this year. I've loved it and haven't had terrible tranny problems. My tranny's issues have been more subtle. Basically, with the SUV in "D" mode, acceleration wasn't what I would expect from a 260hp vehicle. I'd call it sub-peppy... Or more technically, the shifts were happening, low in the torque band (as if, to get top gas mileage). However, shifting into "SD" mode and that baby takes off(!). Shifts would then take place much closer to peak torque @ higher rpms. Yet, in "SD" mode the down shifts would be a bit harsh, and up-shifts get delayed somewhat, especially coming out of a corner.

Then I found the tranny reset procedure:

1. Place key in ignition.
2. Turn key to it's first position (the instrument cluster will light up...)
3. Press accelerator all the way down to the floor and hold it there for a minimum of 30 seconds.
4. By roughly ~25 - to - ~30 seconds you should here a faint sound (somewhat like a "click"). That appearently is the tranny shift map resetting.
5. Take foot off accelerator turn key to off and remove it.

After doing this I then put my key back in the ignition and went for a drive. For that first drive, I noticed my tire pressure indicator was flashing and then stayed on. On follow up drives the indicator has gone back to normal operation.

There is a noticeable difference in the tranny's shift pattern. In "D" mode the shifts feel more natural now, closer to the engine's torque sweet spot, per gear. I haven't needed to shift to "SD" mode as the tranny seems to downshift more readily now.

It will be interesting to see how the tranny behaves over time. From what I've read, this procedure seems to tell the engine/tranny to relearn my driving habits for about 1000 miles.

So far, so good.

Quick Followup...

It seems like a different SUV driving into work this morning.
Very nice.


Quick Followup #2....

I found myself going out of my way to find stop & go traffic, so that I could enjoy the super smooth tranny shifts I'm getting now.
Also, getting on the highway & cruising.... much more fun.
It kinda feels like I traded in my x3, for a better x3... wow.

+1 on this trick. As soon as the AT starts to act squirrely . . . do this and tame it again.

Originally Posted by x3oiler

+1 on this trick. As soon as the AT starts to act squirrely . . . do this and tame it again.

Then that isn't really fixing the problem. Only stalling it. Sorry, but I don't think the BMW is ever going to come clean on this.

Fortunately, no one has been killed as a result. And until something dramatic like that occurs they will continue to sweep it under the rug.

I'm about 680 miles since the tranny reset. I'll check in once I've crossed that 1000 mile mark to tell how my x3 is behaving once it's out of "learn" mode. But it was been goood so far.

Learn mode? The car is supposed to be making constant adjustments based on current driving. That is according to the user manual -- grain of salt or not.

I think the learning mode is a myth and the only one learning is the driver adapting to the car. Does anyone have any documentation on this?

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

Learn mode? The car is supposed to be making constant adjustments based on current driving. That is according to the user manual -- grain of salt or not.

I think the learning mode is a myth and the only one learning is the driver adapting to the car. Does anyone have any documentation on this?

When you have the tranny program reset, it goes back to a basic set of information. As you drive, the program will alter (within limits) to your driving habits. After you drive for a while, assuming you are like most people and get into a routine, the programs changes will no longer occur. Your tranny software has "learned" your driving habits.

Now if you are mellow one day and flooring it the next, who knows how it would take the reprogram.

Originally Posted by madurodave

When you have the tranny program reset, it goes back to a basic set of information. As you drive, the program will alter (within limits) to your driving habits. After you drive for a while, assuming you are like most people and get into a routine, the programs changes will no longer occur. Your tranny software has "learned" your driving habits.

Now if you are mellow one day and flooring it the next, who knows how it would take the reprogram.

So what happens with a "loaner" vehicle that is driven multiple different ways? I think it does "learn" to some degree. I grant that, but how does it evolve when subjected to multiple conditions.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

So what happens with a "loaner" vehicle that is driven multiple different ways? I think it does "learn" to some degree. I grant that, but how does it evolve when subjected to multiple conditions.

Well... I'm past the 1000 mile mark. I was wondering if the car would re-gress to some horrible shift mode. Nope, it's shifting great!

With respect to loaners... I've always enjoyed the 3 series loaners I've gotten when I brought in my x3 or e30 for service. However, the loaner x5 I received once, was no fun. And the loaner x3 a buddy of mine received was similarly no fun. There's spmething about the x series shift patterns that don't mke them great vehicles to pass from person to person as loaners.

As far as my x3 is concerned. The previous owner was a soccer mom, with a certainly different driving style from me. I suspect she was more interested in conserving fuel... dunno.

What I do know, is that the shifting patterns have changed for the better since doing the reset. In short I would describe the change as, less shift hesitation and more shift smooth-ness.

im new to this site, i was looking for info for m 530xi/ 07
i also have the 07 x3 for my wife and that car has the tranny issues.... definitely in the model.
thank you so much
this forum is awesome!

Just got the 60k service done on my X3 yesterday. It idles significantly quieter now (and it wasn't bad before).

Secondly, the transmission is also significantly smoother in gear shifts. The only thing I can of affecting this is the change in the transfer case fluids. I had changed the engine air filter 4,000 miles prior.

Originally Posted by Thomcat

Just got the 60k service done on my X3 yesterday. It idles significantly quieter now (and it wasn't bad before).

Secondly, the transmission is also significantly smoother in gear shifts. The only thing I can of affecting this is the change in the transfer case fluids. I had changed the engine air filter 4,000 miles prior.

As I posted a while back, changing my differential fluids and transfer case fluids seems to take the last 5% of jerkiness away from the X3.

Harumph.

Temperature drops the jerkiness returns. I have not felt the hard downshift while coasting to a drop in quite some time. Temps have dropped around 30 degrees and I felt that yesterday along with the hunt and peck gear shifts when accelerating gently at low speeds. I would love to floor it when pulling out of the drive but I suspect I would hit someone.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

Harumph.

Temperature drops the jerkiness returns. I have not felt the hard downshift while coasting to a drop in quite some time. Temps have dropped around 30 degrees and I felt that yesterday along with the hunt and peck gear shifts when accelerating gently at low speeds. I would love to floor it when pulling out of the drive but I suspect I would hit someone.

Didn't you know?

There is an alarm at 37 degress to war you for that

It always behaves worst at low temps.

Curious to see if that tracks in warm to cold climates...

for instance those in AZ as opposed to NH

Originally Posted by ngcreese

I bought a 2007 x3 3.0si autotranny back in June of this year. I've loved it and haven't had terrible tranny problems. My tranny's issues have been more subtle. Basically, with the SUV in "D" mode, acceleration wasn't what I would expect from a 260hp vehicle. I'd call it sub-peppy... Or more technically, the shifts were happening, low in the torque band (as if, to get top gas mileage). However, shifting into "SD" mode and that baby takes off(!). Shifts would then take place much closer to peak torque @ higher rpms. Yet, in "SD" mode the down shifts would be a bit harsh, and up-shifts get delayed somewhat, especially coming out of a corner.

Then I found the tranny reset procedure:

1. Place key in ignition.
2. Turn key to it's first position (the instrument cluster will light up...)
3. Press accelerator all the way down to the floor and hold it there for a minimum of 30 seconds.
4. By roughly ~25 - to - ~30 seconds you should here a faint sound (somewhat like a "click"). That appearently is the tranny shift map resetting.
5. Take foot off accelerator turn key to off and remove it.

After doing this I then put my key back in the ignition and went for a drive. For that first drive, I noticed my tire pressure indicator was flashing and then stayed on. On follow up drives the indicator has gone back to normal operation.

There is a noticeable difference in the tranny's shift pattern. In "D" mode the shifts feel more natural now, closer to the engine's torque sweet spot, per gear. I haven't needed to shift to "SD" mode as the tranny seems to downshift more readily now.

It will be interesting to see how the tranny behaves over time. From what I've read, this procedure seems to tell the engine/tranny to relearn my driving habits for about 1000 miles.

So far, so good.

All, have the same problems with 2007 X3 everyone has mentioned, and just now read about
the transmission reset procedure. I was a little leery of this, but decided to try it. Just went
to the parking lot, did the procedure and then drove around. Maybe it was my imagination or
the fact that I wanted it to work, but darn, if the car didn't seem to drive smoother. Will try
some more after work, especially getting on the 405 fwy at rush hour. Wish me luck. Will
keep everyone updated.